Israeli Citizen Arrested, Accused of Support for ISIS

Shin Bet intelligence agents and Israel Police said Wednesday that an Israeli citizen, currently residing in the Arab city of Jaljulia, of providing support for ISIS (Da’esh) and planning to join the terrorist group.

The man, a minor at the time of his alleged offense, was detained after security officials received detailed information indicating he was planning to travel to Syria to join the terrorist group.

Investigators said the man had become increasingly religious recently, while also maintaining connections with ISIS fighters in Syria. The suspect told individuals in Syria that he wanted to join the Islamic State (ISIS) organization.

Investigators also searched for and uncovered illegal weapons in the suspect’s possession, including Uzi submachine guns and Glock semi-automatic pistols. He also photographed himself firing the weapons into the air. Investigators also found a large number of photographs allegedly proving his support for ISIS and his weapons business.

Last month, three residents of Taibe were arrested and confessed during interrogation that they supported ISIS, planned to go to Syria and had dug weapons-smuggling tunnels underneath the Israeli security fence that runs along areas of Judea and Samaria.

The Shin Bet said in a statement that the security service views support for ISIS by Israeli citizens who are still in the country, and those Israeli citizens who have managed to already reach Syria, as a serious security threat. The domestic intelligence agency said that all available means are being used to find [these individuals] and thwart the threat they pose, including charging them with terrorism and other security-related offenses.